Dungey Race Report
The air was electric in Atlanta as the main event gate dropped for Round 8 of the AMA Supercross series. Ryan Dungey, who went into the night tied for the series points lead, conducted the entire field of racers around the track for 20 laps and crossed the finish line first. The win gives the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider some breathing room atop the standings.
Ryan Dungey Speaks… Supercross Atlanta
"I got a great start, which put me in a good position," Dungey said after the race. "It’s really enjoyable when the win happens. It doesn’t always go your way, so when it does you have to be very thankful for it." Dungey, aboard his RM-Z450, put in consistent lap times throughout practice and his heat race. At the drop of the gate in the main event, Dungey shot out and got the holeshot and then began his race domination.
"At the practice track, what we work on is setting the pace lap after lap," Dungey said. "So when I get in that race situation where I’m up front, it’s similar and I think, ‘Hey, I gotta keep putting in the laps.’ There’s pressure when you’re leading, but at the same time I just gotta ride and have fun and do what I got to do."
The win was Dungey’s third of the season, and he is now 20 points ahead of second place. "It was awesome tonight," Team Manager Roger Decoster said. "Not only did Ryan ride excellently and win, but we got the points lead. But now we can’t get conservative…we have to go for the win."
In the second race of the Eastern Regional Lites series, Austin Stroupe and his fuel-injected RM-Z250 put on a great show. Stroupe was in the chase the entire 15 laps, and he lead for a few laps before a mistake took him back a few positions.
Austin Stroupe Speaks… Supercross Lites Atlanta
"I didn’t want to lead too early, but I made a mistake and got a little tight," Stroupe said. "With me riding the way I did and putting a charge in, I was going for it and making good decisions, and that was cool. I got a little lucky and pulled through. I think I rode pretty consistently, despite the bobble I made, with passes and used the whole race to my advantage and let it come to me."
Stroupe finished second and is currently second in points.
Expect the Rockstar Makita Suzuki racers to be at the front of the pack in Round 9 of the AMA Supercross series, which takes place on Saturday, March 6, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Supercross 450 Race Results
1. Ryan M Dungey
2. Trey G Canard
3. David D Millsaps
4. Ivan Tedesco
5. Justin D Brayton
6. Joshua R Hill
7. Michael Byrne
8. Jason D Lawrence
9. Grant Langston
10. Nicholas A Wey
11. Chris Blose
12. Kyle P Chisholm
13. Matt Boni
14. Kevin W Windham
15. Jason W Thomas
16. Heath D Voss
17. Weston L Peick
18. Dan Reardon
19. Ryan D Villopoto
20. Kyle D Partridge
Supercross 450 Points
1. Ryan M Dungey 170
2. Joshua R Hill 150
3. Ryan D Villopoto 147
4. David D Millsaps 134
5. Justin D Brayton 121
6. Ivan Tedesco 115
7. Kevin W Windham 113
8. Nicholas A Wey 85
9. Michael Byrne 71
10. Andrew T Short 69
Supercross Lites 250 Race Results
1. Christophe Pourcel
2. Austin Stroupe
3. Brett Metcalfe
4. Dean Wilson
5. Blake Baggett
6. Vince Friese
7. Matthew Lemoine
8. Jake Moss
9. Levi Kilbarger
10. Kyle Cunningham
11. Kyle Regal
12. Nico Izzi
13. Michael Willard
14. Adam Chatfield
15. Ryan Sipes
16. TaylorFutrell
17. James Decotis
18. Justin Barcia
19. Alex Martin
20. Kyle Keylon
Supercross Lites 250 Points Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel 50
2. Austin L Stroupe 44
3. Brett Metcalfe 36
4. Dean A Wilson 33
5. Blake Baggett 26
6. Ryan Sipes 24
7. Kyle J Regal 24
8. Justin L Barcia 23
9. Jake Moss 22
10. Nico A Izzi 22
